McIlhenny's Four-eyed Opossum
Encyclopedia
McIlhenny's Four-eyed Opossum, Philander mcilhennyi, is an opossum species
from South America
. It is found in Brazil
and Peru
. It is almost entirely black, except for white spots above each eye.
This species is named for John Stauffer "Jack" McIlhenny (1909-1997), a grandson of the founder of the McIlhenny Company, maker of Tabasco sauce
. He funded the 1968 Louisiana State University
expedition that discovered the species.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. It is found in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. It is almost entirely black, except for white spots above each eye.
This species is named for John Stauffer "Jack" McIlhenny (1909-1997), a grandson of the founder of the McIlhenny Company, maker of Tabasco sauce
Tabasco sauce
Tabasco sauce is the brand name for a hot sauce produced by US-based McIlhenny Company of Avery Island, Louisiana. Tabasco sauce is made from tabasco peppers , vinegar, and salt, and aged in white oak barrels for three years. It has a hot, spicy flavor...
. He funded the 1968 Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
expedition that discovered the species.